Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Vernon
Frederick
Kullowatz
October 2, 1919

–

December 27, 2004

Born:

Portland

, 

Oregon

Home:

Brownsville

, 

Oregon

Buried: 

Kent

, 

Washington

Cemetery:

Tahoma National Cemetery

Vernon Kullowatz graduated from Northwest Christian College with a B.T. degree in 1942, and years later received his D.D. degree in 1968. He was ordained a minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 1940. He entered military service as a U.S. Army Chaplain on September 1943, and after completing the Chaplain School at Harvard University, was assigned to the 80th Infantry Division through World War II. Discharged in 1946, he transferred to the United States Air Force, and was recalled to duty in March 1951, serving in Korea, and later in the Vietnam War. He retired in 1974 as a U.S. Air Force Colonel.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Regiment:

    319th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    80th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Chaplain’s Corps) Vernon Frederick Kullowatz, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as a Chaplain with the 319th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division, in action in Germany, in 1945. Chaplain Kullowatz, together with an escaped prisoner of war, led three trucks into the raging Inn River, crossed it and made his way 10 kilometers inside enemy lines to release 248 prisoners of war. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Kullowatz, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.